Koshi Barrack over the largest river of Nepal

Koshi Bridge, one of the longest and most complicated bridges in Nepal, lay between the border of Saptari and Sunsari districts as a pride of Eastern region. Constructed by Indian nationals, the bridge is 1337m in length. It is built over the largest river of our country, Saptakoshi which also carries the greatest volume of water towards India. It is a huge barrack with complicated machines and the bridge is divided into 56 doors which are opened and closed through a large metal sheet controlled by a pulley with very thick metal rope.

Saptakoshi River, one of the largest rivers, facilitates both Saptari and Sunsari districts in the field of irrigation due to which many of the farmers living in that area are benefited. The fact that this wide river carries water all over the year explains the people of that area being involved in fishing profession from which they are highly benefited. During the rainy season, the river is over – flooded due to which the controller division have to open as many gate as possible to let the water pass out to other side, however, in other time, only few gates are left open. In some places, the Koshi River, is stretched more than 5 km in width and is a source of many species of fishes along with Dolphins and Crocodiles.

People living near the area consider Saptakoshi as a holy and pure river, worship it and use its water in pujas. The festival of MaghiPurnima (Maghe Sankranti) is also known as KoshiPurnima and people believe that if one takes bath in this holy river, all of his/her sin will be washed away. So, a lot of people, mainly from Saptari and Sunsari district, visit the river for a bath and enjoy the feast with road festivals and fairs. Moreover, in the northern side of the bridge lay KoshiTappu Wildlife Reserve which is a protected area to many species of birds and animals.

Thus, Koshi River is also a place with religious significance as well as high touristic values which makes it renowned all over Nepal and demands at least one visit, for people could here enjoy boating in the largest river of Nepal and experience wild life in the reserve along with the festival, if visited on the occasion.